Speed is of the utmost essence in modern football. It’s often the speed demons of today that cause the most damage, and they make some of the most prized possessions in world football. Nowhere is this attirbute more important than the world’s most relentlessly high-tempo league.
Here we rank the fastest players in the Premier League. It has to be noted that it is on the basis of the fastest speed any of these have clocked (consistency is not a parameter here, they may have run fast only once this season; but if it’s fast enough, it makes the list)
10. Hector Bellerin - Arsenal
Fastest Sprint - 34.77 km/h
Surprised that he only 10th?
I was too!
But everyone's favourite speed merchant only squeezes into the top ten at the very last spot. The Spanish right back had perhaps the most memorable 'fast player' moment in the early stages of this season when he made up a barely credible amount of ground to deny Pedro (who is not exactly slow) a one-on-one against Cech in that epic Arsenal victory over Chelsea
An explanation for why he doesn't have the fastest time may be that, he runs fast for much longer durations than the others on the list – either way, it's a surprising revelation that shows us just how perceptions can alter reality.
9. Maya Yoshida - Southampton
Fastest sprint - 34.78 km/h
The Japanese center back is tied on 8th , has had only appearance this season in the Premier League – against Watford early on - but showcased his thrilling pace on many an occasion during the game. This statistic from the game probably sums up his playing style – tackles made = 0, interceptions made =5.
He uses his pace to intercept passes before the moves actually start to threaten, and his pace managed to keep the pacy Odion Ighalo and co. at bay in his lone game in the league.
8. Theo Walcott - Arsenal
Fastest sprint - 34.78 km/h
The diminutive Englishman, best known for his insane sprinting ability, is another surprise – in the fact that he comes so early into the top ten. In fact, he is tied with Yoshida for the top speed clocked this season.
This is may be partly down to the fact that he seems to have honed his game this season – focusing on making more effective runs and improving his much-maligned finshing. Either way, with two goals in the Champions League and three goals in the Premier League (and two assists) Walcott looks like he's coming on to his own. Finally.
7. Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace
Fastest sprint - 34.79 km/h
The tricky winger has been making Manchester United fans regret that their club couldn't get the most out of since rejoining Crystal Palace. Using his undoubted pace and exceptional ball control he is Palace's primary weapon and has already contributed an assist and a goal this season.
It is rather suprising though that he clocks in only at no. 7 in the list, considering how much his pace as affected the opposition.
6. Eric Bailly – Manchester United
Fastest sprint - 34.84 km/h
This is much more heartening news for United fans. After having to suffer through several years of shaky defences post the high of the peak-Rio and Vidic years, they seem to have found the real deal in the shape of young Ivorian, Eric Bailly.
Strong, hard in the tackle, and comfortable on the ball, Bailly also has pace to burn. The most settled of United’s summer acquisitions, he has already made himself indespensibel for Mourinho and banished any doubts that hung over his slightly expensive transfer fee.
He clocked in at 34.84 km/h making him the fastest central defender playing currently in the league
5. Andre Gray – Burnley
Fastest sprint - 34.87 km/h
The Englishman has started promisingly for Burnley this year – using his keen attacking sense and dribbling ability to propel Burnley forward. He has a goal and an assist this season to his name, and with his pace creating a constant threat that number is set to rise.
His electric bursts of pace get him to fifth on our list.
4. Jamie Vardy – Leicester City
Fastest sprint - 35.10 km/h
The revelation of last season – the Premier League player of the year last time around – the tenacious Englishman has hassled and harried his way to becoming a Premier League defender's worst
He hasn't been in the same sparkling form as last season – just 1 goal and 2 assists from 7 PL matches – but it isn't for a lack of trying. The Englishman has done his bit running the channels, and he's done it as his usual extreme pace.
A sprint that took him past the 35 km/h takes him to 4th place.
3. Kyle Walker – Tottenham Hoptspur
Fastest Sprint - 35.18 km/h
Arsenal don't like Tottenham, and the feeling is heartfully reciprocated. The two clubs from the North of London constantly try to one-up the other – and it's usually the men in red and white that come up on time. Not this time, though.
The bragging rights for currently reside firmly at White Hart Lane. Hector Bellerin – heralded as the Usain Bolt of football – has been outstripped by nearly 0.5 km/h by Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker.
The right back, who is not the most positionally sound, has used his pace to recover and create attacks aplenty, and he sprints his way into the Top 3 fastest men in England, and the title of Fastest Englishman
2. Lynden Gooch – Sunderland
Fastest Sprint - 35.19 km/h
Lynden Who?
Don't worry, you wouldn't be the first person to ask that question this season, and you most certainly won't be the last. Handed his Premier league debut by that noted advocate of youth in football (you, at the back, stop sniggering! Ever heard of a certain Wayne Rooney?)
Praised for his “dynamic versatility and calmness” by team USA's head coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, the American is fast, fearless and direct with the ball at his feet. Tipped for great things, Gooch has already played 5 matches for Sunderland and has impressed despite the mediocrity around him.
What is it with these Americans and speed, eh? He's the second fastest man playing football in the top division in England.
1. Shane Long – Southampton
Fastest Sprint - 35.31 km/h
The very definition of a tireless runner – the Irishman is the perfect teammate, making selfless runs down the channels all day, keeping defenders on their toes all the time. Combine this stamina with speed – a most elusive combination, that – and you have a defenders nightmare.
He's always been a handful, and while he hasn't notched his mark in the goalscoring charts yet this season – it's a given that if Long plays well, Southampton generally tend to do so as well. And it's his speed that is his biggest weapon
He's been clocked at 35.31 km/h this season, making the fastest of the 500 professional football players who call the English Premier League, their home.
P.S. To put this into perspective (and just to show you how fast that Jamaican speed demon is), Usain Bolt's fastest recorded speed is just a shade below 45 km/h.
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